The Australian and New Zealand Standard Commodity Classification (ANZSCC) has been produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Statistics New Zealand for use in the collection and publication of statistics in both countries. This follows other joint developments in Statistical standards such as the Australian New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) (ABS Catalogue No. 1292.0, 1993 SNZ Catalogue No. 19.005.0092).

It replaces the Australian Standard Commodity Classification (Revised) - Transportable Goods (ASCC) (ABS Catalogue No. 1254.0, 1990). The development of the ANZSCC resulted from the need to update classifications to include new commodities and improve comparability of commodity statistics within and between Australia and New Zealand. International comparability has been enhanced by aligning the ANZSCC with the Central Product Classification (CPC) (United Nations, Statistical Papers, Series M, No. 77) wherever possible.

Where appropriate, concordances have also been developed with existing classifications such as the ASCC and commodity classifications used in Australian agriculture, manufacturing and mining collections.

The printed version of the classification was released in April 1996. The assistance provided by many individuals and organisations during its development is gratefully acknowledged.